Big-hearted neighbor
North Side resident Taci VanLeuven calls Craig Thomas “the dream neighbor.”
When she and her mother, Trista Jordan, moved next door to Thomas, they had no idea how much they’d come to rely on their warmhearted neighbor.
“I needed to borrow a few things after we moved in,” said Jordan. “Not like a cup of sugar, more like virgin olive oil and wine glasses.” She went next door and found Thomas to be friendly and approachable. Though he lost both of his legs in Vietnam, Jordan said his disability doesn’t limit his willingness to go the extra mile.
Her daughter agreed. Thomas has come to her rescue several times – most recently on Christmas Eve. “My car battery died,” VanLeuven said. “You hate to disturb anyone on Christmas Eve, but I went next door to Craig.” Not only did he loan her his battery charger, but he gave her a bottle of wine, too.
Thomas also watches out for his neighbor’s pets. “My dog, Kodi, likes to get out of his kennel and run off,” said VanLeuven. “One day Craig waited outside in the rain and got Kodi.” He kept the dog in his warm garage until she got home from work.
This winter Thomas’ help has been extremely appreciated. Jordan never has to worry about being stuck in the snow. Thomas has a plow affixed to his all-terrain vehicle, and he spends hours making sure his neighbors’ driveways are clear.
He credits his wife, Char, for that foresight. When they bought the vehicle last summer she told him to get a plow put on it. “I thought it was a dumb idea,” said Thomas with a laugh. Now, he concedes it was a very worthwhile investment.
His philosophy of neighborliness is straightforward: Do what you can for others. “I can’t do a lot from my wheelchair, but I can plow. If you’ve got time – help. I’ve got all the time in the world,” said Thomas who recently retired after 29 years with Avista.
The longtime North Side resident was born and raised in Spokane. He graduated from Shadle Park High School and was drafted shortly thereafter. “The DMZ in ‘68 was not a fun place to be.” He was only 20 when he was wounded and lost his legs. “I got a couple Purple Hearts and a Silver Star,” he said.
Trista Jordan found a unique way to honor her neighbor’s service and sacrifice. She’s a make-up artist by profession and was hired to be the key make-up artist for the locally filmed movie “Home of the Brave.”
Several scenes were shot at Deaconess Hospital, which was made to look like Walter Reed Hospital. Thomas recalled Jordan’s request: “We need wheelchairs in the ‘Home of the Brave.’ ” He agreed to appear in the film.
Jordan gave Thomas a taste of Hollywood in Spokane. “I got the grand treatment for an extra,” he said with a chuckle. “I got to see how movies were made, and I met Jessica Biel. At the end of the day I asked her, ‘Where’s the glamour in being an actress?’ She laughed and said, ‘Not here!’ “
There’s not much glamour in being a good neighbor either, but that doesn’t stop Thomas from helping out when and where he can.
“It’s so comforting to know I have someone nearby,” said Jordan. “He’s got a big heart.”